Overclocking Guide Part 2: Suggested Components and Settings

[pschmid]

So you think you might like to try overclocking, but your old parts just won't cut it? Entry into the world of overclocking doesn't have to break the bank - we have a few selections and suggestions to help get you started.

 

[funnyvlad]

Is there any motherboard out there that can change the multiplier upwards? I mean, if I use a c2d 6600(2,4Ghz) with a 9x multiplier, wouldn´t it be easier to set it to 11x and then get a c2d6800(2,93Ghz). If it doesn´t work that way, then explain why not!

 

[Crashman]

No, Intel has placed a multiplier limit on the E6600, you can only adjust it downward, which lowers your clock speed.

 

[samir_nayanajaad]

if I remember correctly and to put it simply, the CPU has something in it that tells the BIOS "This it the highest multiplier I can use" Sort of like how ram speed and timings are auto detected by the mobo. Well those timings and speed are "programed" into the ram so to speak, but the ram allows it self to run at other speeds and timings that aren't "programed" into it. The CPU however does not have this luxury at least for raising the multiplier you can lower it.

On a side note very old CPU's did have that capability, as in you could raise the multiplier to over clock, also some very expensive new processors have this ability too. (like AMD's FX line I think).

 

[omgitslong]

Stability testing should be followed by small increases in HT clock (around 4 MHz)

what software(s) do you use to test the stability of your CPU and RAM?? I have BurnMax for my CPU, and memtest86+ for RAM, are those good enough??

:?

 

[samir_nayanajaad]

I haven't used burn max but Prime 95 is widely used for cpu stability testing and free so you might want to check that out.

 

[Crashman]

Hey, that's a great question! Different people have different answers, but I can tell you that Prime95's "torture test" is the leading favorite.

 

[sprite]

Would be nice to see you include some mobile platforms in there such as the Celeron 430 which can apparently be overclocked to beat an FX-60s Super PI score (google it).

Also some older technology such as s754, a Sempron 2800 for £25 and a half decent s754 mobo for £30 would be a good project.

 

[funnyvlad]

Re prozac and Samir nayanajaad too.

Of course, when I think about it, it seems reasonable. Otherwise it would be kinda stupid to buy a 900$ cpu(c2dx6800) when you can get a 300$ cpu and and unlock it upwards and save the 600$. Of course you need a decent mobo but paying 200$ instead of 120$ for a mobo increases the OC possibility considerably.

 

[Knyte]

Personally, I believe that a better AMD "Under $200" choice than the 4200 would be an Opteron 170. Opterons have the larger L2 cache, they are designed to be run under heavy load 24/7, and are usually the best of the best picks from the manufacturing floor.

On my 1st Attempt I got my Opteron 170 (Stock 2.0GHz) up to 2.5GHz, with both cores stable (Both passed Prime95 24 hours) and a max temp of 48C. (And that is with the stock cooler!)

The other important thing to mention regarding overclocking is RAM. If you do not have quality RAM, you are not going to get very far, unless you want to juggle with dropping the RAM speed while kicking up the CPU. (Which is a massive headache.)

 

[Aerobernardo]

Personally, I believe that a better AMD "Under $200" choice than the 4200 would be an Opteron 170. Opterons have the larger L2 cache, they are designed to be run under heavy load 24/7, and are usually the best of the best picks from the manufacturing floor.

On my 1st Attempt I got my Opteron 170 (Stock 2.0GHz) up to 2.5GHz, with both cores stable (Both passed Prime95 24 hours) and a max temp of 48C. (And that is with the stock cooler!)

The other important thing to mention regarding overclocking is RAM. If you do not have quality RAM, you are not going to get very far, unless you want to juggle with dropping the RAM speed while kicking up the CPU. (Which is a massive headache.)

Got the same speed with an Opteron 165, stock voltage and stock HSF. But my temps were even better: 38 degrees max. Won't push it further till Crysis to make it last, since another bump to 2.6 or even 2.7Ghz leads to voltage increase as I already tested. Other points to be said:

1 - I didn't know that you can increase voltage on separated controllers instead of the CPU vid control in order to reach stability on CPU. To me CPU stability has to do with its own voltage. Interesting... might try some changes here

2 - I have a X1900XT and it has motion blur on every single game plus some other issues. I have heard that an HTT below 900mhz such as mine might lead to issues with video cards. Has anyone heard that? NFS Carbon looks horrible at over 280Km/h, and GTA San Andreas also has this effect on a fast car.

3 - About RAM timings. Toms has got to be going nuts: There is a review on Toms itself showing that usually raising the RAM clock has much more effect then lowering its latencies. I can tell you that after going from DDR400 2-3-2-5 to DDR445 2.5-3-2-5 there was a a significant change, still not benchmarked since memory benchmarks sux and I really don1t want to run PCMark twice, but I can feel it. Every memory has a limit, but if you have a DFI motherboard with a secure voltage set, you can blow your RAM away by increasing the voltage a lil bit and then loosing the latencies in order achieve stability in higher clocks. And that makes a huge difference compared to tight timings low clock

 

[sirheck]

damn :twisted:

after reading your article, i now want to oc agian. :lol:

 

[Luscious]

Nice article, just one nit pick:

There is no mention of cooling equipment. OCers know the advantages between active/passive cooling, but there are crappy water blocks out there and some very advanced solutions as well.

Same with video cards, it may be a hard time finding a (silent) cooler that will let you do a good GPU OC.

While I am not doing a promo here, a mention of some of the Swiftech products, dangerden.com and frozencpu.com deserves mention.

 

[unsmart]

Stability testing should be followed by small increases in HT clock (around 4 MHz)

what software(s) do you use to test the stability of your CPU and RAM?? I have BurnMax for my CPU, and memtest86+ for RAM, are those good enough??

:?
I prefer to test the whole system. Even know your cpu/ram may be prime stable,that doesn't mean you wont crash in game. I run prime95 and atitools at the same time This is a lot more like the stress of a game. This will also show temps when you have two sources of heat which can be a lot more then with just the cpu test in a case with poor air flow.
I'm a OCer and don't want to discourage anyone but go for the best core parts you can and go from there. Skimping on GFX and CPU because you think it will OC isn't the best plan. Any head room is a bonus not a given to be relied on. I've seen so many people dump money in to a system trying to get a cheap CPU to the max speed.
This article needs some benches. I've seen some Celeron D benches at 4.8 and it still sucked. I really don't thick you should suggest buying a celeron or a sampron to anyone for OCing. Your just getting noobs hopes up and they will end up putting all there money in to OCing parts to get the same power as a mid range cpu with cheap parts. If a fast cpu is what you want get one and go cheap on everything the else.

 

[Crashman]

Cheap RAM? Cheap Motherboard? Cheap Power Supply? Wow, I see where you got your nick.

 

[unsmart]

I guess I miss spoke, I mean to say cheap with in your budget. My point is some will buy a $60 CPU and $120 MOBO,$200 RAM and a $150 PSU. Getting one crappy part and surrounding it with good parts makes no sense to me.
How many post have you seen where someone buys a cheap CPU because a review site got an extra gig out of it. When they can't get there they start replacing parts they believe are limiting them. I was just talking to a guy how got a celeron d because they where hitting 5gh, he couldn't get to 5 so he replaced his mid range RAM with highend. He could have spent that money on a cpu and had better performance with his old RAM.
When I build I make a budget and start dividing it up, I game so vid card is tops. I then start checking reviews for parts in my price range and Try to find the deals. I do look for OCing potential but only in the range I've set, I never buy low end parts thinking I'll get highend results.
I did really like this article and think it may bring some more to the dark side :twisted: of OCing.
My nick name came from a life time of being stupid in all areas, not just computers 😀

 

[ts8lemonade]

Agree 100% unsmart.